Over 750 delegates are expected to attend the fourth Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for October 27–28, 2025, at Ocean Beach Resort and Spa in Malindi.
The event is
organized by the Consulate General of Uganda in Mombasa in collaboration with
tourism stakeholders from both Uganda and the Kenyan coast.
The
conference comes against the backdrop of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
signed on July 30, 2025, between the Governments of Uganda and Kenya to foster
joint tourism promotion and marketing
Since 2022,
the Uganda-Kenya Coast Partnership has been promoting cross-border tourism.
Last year,
over 466,000 Kenyans visited Uganda, making Kenya Uganda’s top source market,
while 225,559 Ugandans travelled to Kenya, ranking Uganda as Kenya’s
second-largest source market after the United States.
Uganda is
famed for its gorilla trekking, chimpanzees, cultural tourism, and vibrant
nightlife, while Kenya’s coast boasts pristine beaches, marine parks, and
historical heritage.
Together,
these offerings provide a richer, more diverse tourism experience, said
Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa, Ambassador Paul Mukumbya.
“On the
issue of beaches, we cannot compete with the Kenyan coast. But Kenya does not
have the silverback gorilla. Why not promote these products jointly so tourists
who come for the beaches can also experience gorilla trekking in Uganda?” he
said.
Mukumbya
noted that the partnership has steadily grown since 2022, when 250 delegates
attended the inaugural conference in Mombasa.
The following year in Kilifi, the number rose to over 500 in Diani, and in Kampala in 2024, the event attracted more than 600 delegates.
“This year,
we expect over 750 participants here in Malindi,” he said.
The Consul
General also highlighted the exchange programs that have enabled over 100
Kenyan tourism stakeholders to experience Uganda first-hand, while more than
300 Ugandan counterparts have toured the Kenyan coast.
“We don’t
want ‘Google operators’ who sell itineraries without knowing the real
experience. We want tourism professionals to market from knowledge, not just
the internet,” he added.
The 2025 edition
will run under the theme “Leveraging Youth Innovation and Technology for
Responsive and Inclusive Tourism.”
Discussions
will center on digital solutions for tourism, culture, sports, and heritage
tourism.
Smart
destinations and youth-driven innovation will also be in focus, with particular
encouragement for young entrepreneurs to embrace virtual tourism and
technology-powered ventures.
In the
lead-up to the conference, a familiarization trip will take place between
October 22–29, allowing Ugandan operators to explore the coast.
A golf
tournament is also scheduled for October 25 at Vipingo Ridge, continuing the
tradition of using golf tourism to attract high-spending visitors.
Kilifi
Governor Gideon Mung’aro welcomed the partnership, describing it as a
transformative force for the region.
He pointed
to Kilifi’s rich tourism assets, from Watamu Marine Park and Arabuko-Sokoke
Forest to the Gedi Ruins, Kilifi Creek, Marafa Depression, and Mambrui’s golden
beaches.
“Tourism is
more than numbers. It is about people and planet. It must empower communities,
protect our natural heritage, and showcase cultures with dignity,” Governor
Mung’aro said.
He
underscored the need to develop joint tourism circuits stretching from Uganda’s
gorilla sanctuaries to Kenya’s coastal beaches, unified branding for
cross-border marketing, and investments in transport and community enterprises.
Referring to
Uganda’s 2024 hosting of the conference, Mung’aro praised the opportunity it
gave stakeholders to experience destinations such as Murchison Falls, Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest, and Kampala’s cultural richness.
“That
experience laid the foundation for stronger collaboration in destination
marketing, product development, and community-based tourism,” he noted.
Both leaders
hailed the role of private sector players, airlines, and national tourism
boards in advancing the partnership.
Uganda
Airlines has been instrumental in promoting the Entebbe–Mombasa route, while
the Kenya Tourism Board has supported activities ranging from golf tournaments
to cultural events.
